By Mohamed Fawzi
NCR’s ATM Solutions division established the Manage Services Centre to monitor deposits and withdrawals at ATM machines.
Osama El-Sayed, General Director of NCR in Africa, said that the company sold 900 machines to banks in Egypt last year, compared to 1200 machines the previous year. He attributed the 25% decline in sales to the unfavourable economic conditions in Egypt since the revolution.
He said that the current situation did not prevent the company from expanding, as the company recently opened the Manage Services Centre, which allows banks in Egypt to outsource ATM monitoring. He added that the centre is currently monitoring 1500 ATM machines belonging to 10 banks.
The centre monitors the level of funds available in the machines in order to reduce the rate at which the ATMs go out of service. He said that NCR plans on offering the service outside of Egypt. He said “We own 12 centres specialising in ATM manufacturing and maintenance all over Egypt,” noting that maintenance and repair usually take place at the machine for maximum efficiency but that in special cases banks send their machines to a repair and maintenance centre.
He said that NCR’s machines account for 91% of the domestic market and 60% of the African market, explaining that Africa has the most potential for economic growth than any other market. El-Sayed noted that periods of security breakdown in Egypt did not have a significant impact on the manufacture, repair, and maintenance of the company’s ATM machines. He said that 250 machines were damaged during the revolution and two were stolen that were not recovered.
He said “Cash deposits are one of the services that have been received well, and the service is available all over Egypt. The deposit services also allow for individuals and government entities to pay various bills.” Machines that allow for cash deposits account for 25% of total ATM machines in Egypt.
NCR is an American multi-national company founded in 1884 with operations in more than 220 countries around the world. It is one of the oldest electronics companies doing business in the Egypt, having entered the market in 1936. The company’s primary focus is information technology, and it has a strong presence in Egypt and Africa in the banking and money management sectors.
